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Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuilders’ training regimes.

It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.

In this article we’ll take a close look at the leg press.

MUSCLES TARGETED: vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, rectus femoris

STARTING POSITION

Lie on leg press machine with buttocks supported on seat and back pressed against the back rest pad.
Place feet flat on the platform, shoulder width apart. Angle toes slightly outwards.

Grip handles and unlock weight in readiness for performance of the leg press.

EXERCISE TECHNIQUE

Slowly bend legs, allowing knees to move towards the chest.
When the knees have reached a point just beyond 90 degrees, slowly straighten the legs until you return to the starting position.
Do not lock your knees at the highest point of the movement.
Repeat this movement until you reach your target number of repetitions

OTHER EXERCISES WORTH CONSIDERING

Other exercises that tackle these muscles include the Squat, Hack Squats, Smith Machine Squats and Seated Leg Extensions.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuilders’ training regimes.

It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.

In this article we’ll take a close look at the leg curl.

MUSCLES TARGETED: semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris

STARTING POSITION

Assume a prone position on the machine and press the torso and hips against the pads.
Place the ankles behind and in contact with the foot pad.
Place the legs parallel to each other.
Hang the knees slightly off the edge of the knee pad.
Grasp the handles.

UPWARD MOVEMENT

Raise the pad by fully flexing the knees.
Keep the torso stationary and the hips and torso pressed against the pads.
Do not lift the hips or thighs off the thigh pad.
Do not lock out the knees.

DOWNWARD MOVEMENT

Allow the knees to slowly bend back to the starting position.
Keep the torso stationary and the hips and torso pressed against the pads.
Repeat or finish set.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuilders’ training regimes.

It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.

In this article we’ll take a close look at the upright row.

MUSCLES TARGETED: deltoids, trapezius

STARTING POSITION

Grasp the bar with a closed pronated grip.
Grip should be narrower than shoulder width.
Stand erect with feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly flexed.
Rest the bar on the thighs with the elbows fully extended and pointing out to the sides.

UPWARD MOVEMENT

Pull the bar upward along the abdomen and chest toward the chin.
Keep the torso and knees in the same position.
At the top position, make sure the elbows are higher than the wrists and the shoulders.

DOWNWARD MOVEMENT

Allow the bar to slowly lower back to the starting position.
Keep the torso and knees in the same position.
Repeat or finish set.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuilders’ training regimes.

It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.

In this article we’ll take a close look at Seated Pulley Rows.

MUSCLES TARGETED: latissimus dorsi, trapezius, rhomboids, erector spinae

STARTING POSITION

Grasp the handle with palms facing inward.

Straighten arms, sit on padding and place feet on the floor rests.

Maintain slightly bent knees.

Lean forward with head but keep back straight.

EXERCISE TECHNIQUE

Bring the torso to an erect position whilst pulling handle towards the abdomen.

Arch the back slightly and keep the elbows close to the torso.
Return to the starting position.

Repeat this movement until the intended number of repetitions have been completed.

OTHER EXERCISES WORTH CONSIDERING

Another exercise worth considering is the T-Bar Row (additionally targets biceps brachialis but not trapezius muscles).

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuiders’ training regimes.

It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.

In this article we’ll take a close look at the seated calf raise.

MUSCLES TARGETED: soleus

STARTING POSITION

Sit erect on the seat facing the machine.
Position the thighs under the pads and place the balls of the feet on the near edge of the step.
Position the feet and legs parallel to each other with the toes pointing straight ahead.
Allow the heels to hang off below the step.
This is the starting point for each repetition.

UPWARD MOVEMENT

Keep the torso erect and the legs / feet parallel, push up on toes as high as possible.
Push up off the step.

DOWNWARD MOVEMENT

Allow the heels to slowly lower back to the starting position.
Repeat or finish set.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuilders’ training regimes.

It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.

In this article we’ll take a close look at the decline dumbbell bench press.

MUSCLES TARGETED: pectoralis major, anterior deltoids

STARTING POSITION

Sitting at the high end of a decline bench, make sure that ankles and feet are secured under the pads.

Grasp two dumbbells using an overhand grip.

Set the dumbbells in an upright position on your knees.

Lie on the decline bench whilst simultaneously bringing the dumbbells to the side of your chest on either side.

Raise the dumbbells to arm’s length with the palms facing forward. Do not lock out the elbows.

This starting position sees the dumbbells touching each other, directly above the chest.

EXERCISE TECHNIQUE

Slowly bend the arms to lower the dumbbells to a postion on either side of the chest. You should achieve a maximum stretch at this point.

Raise the dumbbells slowly to the starting position.

Repeat this movement until you complete the intended number of reps.

OTHER EXERCISES WORTH CONSIDERING

The Decline Barbell Bench Press places a similar emphasis on the lower part of the pectoralis major and the anterior deltoids. Other useful chest exercises have a slightly different emphasis and these include Push-Ups (mid chest), Flat Dumbbell Bench Press (mid chest), Flat Barbell Bench Press (mid chest),Flat Dumbbell Flys (mid chest), Incline Dumbbell Bench Press (upper chest), Incline Barbell Bench Press (upper chest), Incline Dumbbell Flys (upper chest) and Cable Crossovers (lower and mid chest).

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.